MAY 2012Volume 124 No. 4

FEATURES

Fleecing God’s Flock 9by Sid Stewart

DEPARTMENTS

The Editor’s View 2The President’s Page 3Called Unto Holiness 8News From The Hilltop 10Revivalist Family 10Dear Phil 14World Pulse 15Student Focus 15From The Classics 16Revivalist Pulpit 17The World To Win 19Alumni News 20Thoughts For The Quiet Hour 23

STAFF

Kevin Moser, art director, managing editor

Shane Muir, assistant graphic designer Jon Plank, assistant graphic designer, webmaster

Larry D. Smith, editor

God’s Revivalist and Bible Advocate (ISSN 0745-0788) is published monthly except forcombined issues in January-February and June-July-August for $12.00 per year($28.00, Canada; $45.00, other countries) by the Revivalist Press of God’s BibleSchool, College and Missionary Training Home, 1810 Young Street, Cincinnati, Ohio45202. Periodical postage paid at Cincinnati, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: send address changes to God’s Revivalist and Bible Advocate, 1810Young Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

God’s Revivalist and Bible Advocate, the official organ of God’s Bible School, is a maga-zine founded by Martin Wells Knapp in July of 1888. We seek to proclaim the good newsof salvation; to stir a revival spirit among Christians; to stimulate Christian growth andresponsible Christian living; to present the happenings and interests of God’s Bible School.

Please obtain permission before reprinting any articles from God’s Revivalist and BibleAdvocate. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcomed, but not returned.

God’s Bible School and College seeks to glorify God and to serve His Church by pro-viding higher education centered in Holy Scripture and shaped by Wesleyan convic-tion, thus preparing faithful servants to proclaim Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holi-ness throughout the world.

God’s Bible School and College does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color,national or ethnic origin, or against otherwise qualified handicapped persons in itsadmission of students or employment of its faculty and staff.

Contact us by telephone at (513) 721-7944 (Revivalist Press, ext. 1351); by fax at(513) 763-6649; by email at revivalist@gbs.edu or gbs4u@gbs.edu. Visit us onlineat www.gbs.edu or www.godsrevivalist.com.

COVER PHOTO: Cincinnati, Ohio, as seen from across the Ohio River inCovington, Kentucky. ©2012 Thinkstock.

CONTENTS

LARRY D. SMITH

STRUGGLING WITH SUBMISSION

Thirty-five years have passed since a conference ofChristian leaders headed by Robert E. Webber, pro-fessor of theology at Wheaton College, issued “The

Chicago Call.” Evangelicals were in a period of growth, asthey acknowledged, but were weakened by neglectingtheir roots in classical Christian orthodoxy. “There is there-fore a pressing need to reflect upon the substance of thebiblical and historic faith,” the writers said, “and to recoverthe fullness of this heritage.”’ Christianity Today cautiouslyendorsed the document, while Newsweek devoted an en-tire “religion section” to its coverage.

Our own “Call to the Conservative HolinessMovement” is in this tradition, and some of our concernsare obviously the same. Others, however, are different,containing general principles applied to our own con-stituency. For ours is a specific summons “for the full andvigorous recovery of our heritage as Christians of Wesleyanconviction,” urging “our entire movement to unite with usjoyfully in this commitment….”

Article VI is a “Call to Authority in the Church.” As such,it echoes the “The Chicago Call,” which deplores “disobedi-ence to the Lordship of Christ as expressed through author-ity in his church,” and reminds its readers that this “has pro-moted a spirit of autonomy in persons and groups, resultingin isolationism and competitiveness, even anarchy, withinthe body of Christ.” Our own struggles with authority havesometimes produced similar unfortunate responses. Withthese in mind, we turn now to Article VI with its plea forvalid scriptural leadership in the church.

I. PRINCIPLE DECLARED: Authority Explained

“Christ Our Lord has delegated powers of governmentto duly-appointed officers in the Church, and we are com-manded to obey them faithfully.” These words (p22)�

GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

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theeditor’s

view

The issue of authority in the church has comedown to us through the centuries on a sea ofblood and fire. The pages of church history

tell the story. You can read of men slain by the swordor burned at the stake for questioning or acting con-trary to the authority of the church. At the heart ofthe Protestant Reformation was the issue of churchauthority. The reformers declared that Christ alonewas the head of the Church and the Bible was the ul-timate authority. Many of our ancestors left their na-tive lands to escape the heavy hand of a state churchwhose authority exploited rather than liberated thesouls of men. Even today, there is still a vigorous dis-cussion by churchmen, scholars, politicians, and lay-men as to the church’s authority on everything frombirth control to baptism.

This discussion over authority in the church may soundsomewhat benign and empty to most of the people whowill read this article. Their religious world does not includepopes, archbishops, bishops, or councils! Churches with-in the holiness tradition function as self-governing com-munities or are affiliated with denominations that have avery limited form of top-down government. Neitherapproach, however, has allowed the holiness church to

escape the discussion or the problem of authority. The “Call to the Conservative Holiness Movement,” Article VI, statesthat the CHM has been marked by “the spirit of autonomy and even anarchy…. Too often…we have exhibited rebel-lion against the authority structures which God Himself has established, boasting our independence of them, and refus-ing to submit to their godly discipline. This has been evidenced by continuing divisions among us, often over mattersunconnected with allegiance to Scriptural truth.”

This is a part of the Call with which I am not completely comfortable. The movement obviously faces issues withauthority, but I think the Call paints the CHM with too broad of a brush. I do not question the fact that there are thosewithin the movement who have exhibited a spirit of autonomy and rebellion. There are those whose self-serving waysand arrogant love for their own opinion have indeed spawned unnecessary division and bred much confusion.

I have watched with sadness as people have violated their word, ignored standards of ethical behavior, andbroken membership vows while barely masking their obstinacy. We have all met an Absalom, an Adonijah, ora Diotrephes who would not heed any counsel but their own or follow any path but one of their own making.But honestly, this has been the exception rather than the rule. On the contrary, most of the conservatives Iknow are more than willing to be led and are actually looking for leadership. They are quite willing to take veryunpopular stands and live out countercultural lifestyles in obedience to their church and conscience. I see very

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thepresident’s

page

AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH

by Michael R. Avery, President

A CALL TO THE CONSERVATIVE HOLINESS MOVEMENT

VI. A CALL TO AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH

Christ Our Lord has delegated the powers of government to duly-appointed officers in the Church, and weare mandated to obey them faithfully. All Christians are to be in practical submission to one another and tothese designated officials in the Church. The edifying and equipping of God’s people and the administrationof church discipline are committed especially to faithful pastors who are called not as “lords over God’s her-itage,” but as examples and as shepherds of His flock.

We therefore deplore the spirit of autonomy and even anarchy which so often has marked our movement.Too often in our congregations and denominational life we have exhibited rebellion against the authority struc-tures which God Himself has established, boasting our independence of them, and refusing to submit to theirgodly discipline. This has been evidenced by continuing divisions among us, often over matters unconnectedwith allegiance to Scriptural truth. As the heirs of classical Christianity, we have not so learned Christ. “Obeythem that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must giveaccount, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).

We call therefore for renewed exposition of the Scriptural qualifications for leadership within the Church,corporate exhortation to beware the deceitfulness of sin, and biblical obedience and submission to thosewhom God has made under-shepherds over us. God grants no Christian autonomy from mutual submissionand accountability within the Body of Christ. We must therefore repent of our oft refusals to exercise theScriptural means of restorative discipline within the Church and commit ourselves to loving one another evenas our Father loves us in chastening and scourging every son whom He receives.

little evidence that would indict them as rebels againstbiblical authority or biblically ordained authorities.This of course is my perception, but I believe it to bea fair one.

Rather than seeing them as rebels, I see somethingthat may be construed as rebellion. I see confused, frus-trated, and at times angry souls who are weary withleaders more willing to bow to church politics and fearthan to lead with biblical conviction and common sense.This weakness in leadership can and does producereluctant and sometimes resistant followers, but nonethat should be called rebels. I see church attendees,both young and old, who lack a proper understanding ofbiblical authority. I also see something else. I see a gen-erational difference in how authority is viewed andunderstood. A failure to understand this generationaldifference may lead to labeling sincere, sanctified peo-ple as “rebels” who are only following their conscienceand understanding as best as they can.

A Biblical Understanding of Authority in the ChurchThe concept of authority has fallen on bad times

over the last few decades. In some places if you justsay the word people react negatively. This should notsurprise anyone since we have had a sad parade ofpoliticians, policemen, professors, pastors, and priestswho have abused their authority and betrayed thosewho served under them. This abuse of authority has

bred a culture of cynicism and suspicion. It has creat-ed an environment where good authority, God’sauthority, is regularly questioned. The cure is not toabandon the important role of authority in our culturebut to carefully proclaim what God says in His Wordabout authority. My comments in this article are limit-ed to authority in the church.

The classic passage quoted in the Call and in mostother discussions on church authority is Hebrews13:17a: “Obey them that have the rule over you, andsubmit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as theythat must give account….” This is a powerful principlethat serious Christians seek to follow. It is also one thathas been so terribly abused that it needs clarification.

First, no preacher, teacher, or leader by virtue ofhis calling has been granted an inherent right to ruleover other people. When I was ordained, I was giventhe authority “to preach the Word and administer thesacraments.” The only authority that any pastor,teacher, or church leader has is the delegated author-ity that comes through the Word of God and relatesto the “spiritual guidance and soul safety” of thoseunder his responsibility. (Read Wesley’s Sermon OnObedience to Pastors).

Secondly, the application of Hebrews 13:17 appliesonly to those leaders who are faithful. All throughScripture we are warned to beware of false teachersand false shepherds. How do you judge the false from

04GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

06GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

the true? You judge them by their fidelity to theWord of God, both in what they say and how theylive. Those who teach the Word faithfully and live itfaithfully deserve our respect and obedience. The

pastor or leader who claimsauthority based on his posi-tion, or seeks to make hisopinion equivalent to scrip-ture, or tries to use religionand false guilt to make oneconform to his will is com-pletely out of line with hisbiblical authority.

Thirdly, the New Testa-ment does not describe thekind of church organizationswe have today. This does notmean it opposes today’s de-nominational structures, butit just means that it primarilysees the visible church as alocal community of believersled by a body of elders anddeacons. However, it doesspeak quite forcefully to theissues of order, authority, sub-mission, discipline and ac-countability. Those who havewillingly joined a church ordenomination and havegiven their pledge to obeythe rules of membershipought to do so. They shouldhonor and obey those inleadership and submit to theaccountability and discipline

of the church as outlined in the Scripture and thecovenant of membership. If at some point, theydecide not to do so, they should willingly and qui-etly withdraw from membership.

Church Authority and Generational Differences

The Greatest and Silent Generations

Christians born in the first half of the 20th cen-tury are referred to as the “Greatest” (1902-1924)and “Silent” (1925-1945) generations. They wereborn into what is called the “modern era.” Their wayof thinking and subsequently their worldview primar-ily reflects “modernity.” They have an innate trust forthe institutions of government, education, and reli-gion. They highly value rules for morality, decency,and conformity. Issues of right and wrong fall easilyand distinctly into black and white categories.

They understand the way the traditional churchworks, see membership as important, and thinknothing of just doing whatever the church orchurch manual says. They do not need exhaustiveexegesis or detailed explanations for demandsplaced upon them. This is not to say that they donot think, but it is only to say that these generationsaccept the rules without the need for “proof” or“explanation” because they believe in and trust thechurch and its leadership! Even in areas they per-sonally do not understand or with which they donot fully agree, they are willing to go along and dowhat the church or pastor says because they trustthe authority structures and believe it is importantto obey and conform to what they are told.

As this way of thinking worked its way out in themore conservative churches, there developed a sub-tle emphasis on conforming to “group cultural rulesof conduct.” Conformity became more of a prioritythan the development of vital piety based on scrip-tural reflection. Living the rules with no grasp of theprinciple behind them became far too common. Thisresulted in at least two things worthy of observation:(1) Externals became the focus or “proof” of realheart change; (2) It became far too easy to “lookright” and thus “be right” without any internalizationof character or sound biblical understanding of whythey did what they did. I hope this will not be misun-derstood as an indictment of insincerity or an accusa-tion of hypocrisy—it is not! It is an attempt to explainhow this generation tended to think and act. I do notquestion their earnest desire to please God!

This is the generation that pulled out of themainline holiness denominations and formed what isnow called the Conservative Holiness Movement.This is the generation that embraced without ques-tion and lived without fear what their leaders andchurches had taught them. When the “motherchurch” started changing values that had been heldfor decades, this generation voted with their feet andleft the church. I believe their actions were rooted intwo things: their convictions and their culture.Neither root is necessarily connected to rebellion.Were there rebels who opposed the authority of thechurch and who were involved in the “come out”?Of course! But the vast majority of come-outers weremen and women of godly character who were sim-ply standing by the things they had been taught.

The Boomer, Buster, and Millennial Generations

By the late 1960’s and early ’70’s America hadfully made a dramatic shift from the “modern era” tothe “post-modern” era. The second generation of con-servative holiness people (Boomers) was influenced by

Those who

have willingly

joined a church

and have given

their pledge to

obey the rules

of membership

ought to do so.

They should

honor and obey

those in

leadership and

submit to the

accountability

and discipline

of the church.

MAY 2012

07

both modern and post-modern thought. You can seethe influence of both in the way they think and act.The third and fourth generations of conservativeswere primarily influenced by post-modernism. Post-modern Christians think quite differently from thosein the modern generation. The post-modern genera-tion does not have a natural trust of the institutions ofgovernment, education, and church.

On the contrary, they have a deep suspicion ofthese institutions and the power they wield. They re-ject “blind acceptance” of anything to the point ofbeing cynical. They grew up in the “advertising age”and learned quickly you could not believe what youread on the cereal box or heard from the media.They look at all unsupported assertions with suspi-cion—especially those given in church. They do notsimply swallow what is taught or preached. They askquestions and want answers. Just because thepreacher says it is wrong doesn’t make it wrong forthem. They want a clear, intellectually defensible,biblical answer. If answers are not forthcoming, theyreject the assertions. A large number of the earlypost-moderns were lost to the church because someleaders tragically confused “questions about biblicaltruth” with “questioning the truth of the Bible” andclassified them as compromisers or rebels.

The post-modern Christian rejects the carefully“air-brushed, compartmentalized, and rote cookie-cutter religious expressions of the previous genera-tions.” They prefer religious spontaneity and au-thenticity over mere appearances. This has causeda post-modern generation to be slow in acceptingall the traditional life-style values and standards ofthe conservative holiness movement. It’s not thatthey reject biblical values, but rather they reject“cookie-cutter” conformity for the sake of just“looking the part” or fitting into the culture.

They want to know the reason and see the valueof the thing they are being asked to do. I don’t be-lieve they have rejected the traditional values be-cause those values lack veracity but because theyhave been given without explanation and appliedwithout flexible common sense. Parents whose post-modern kids grew up in complete conformity tothese values while at home are shocked when thosesame kids jettison those standards after leaving home.In some cases the rejection flows from a rebellious,worldly heart, but in many cases it does not. It flowsfrom a heart that is seeking spiritual authenticity andfrom a mind that wants intellectual “buy in.”

Addressing the ProblemRebellion is a strong word and should be used

wisely. True rebellion against proper authority re-

veals a deeper rejection of God’s authority andshould be treated as such. That’s why the Biblecompares it to the sin of witchcraft and idolatry.Only the Holy Spirit can root out rebellion andreplace it with submission by a radical change ofone’s heart. However, if we are dealing with gen-erational ways of thinking, then we need to un-derstand and respond accordingly. Christians ofall generations desire authenticity. Authenticitybegins with honesty. We must be honest with whowe are, honest about our biases and prejudices,and honest in our interpretation and applicationof scripture. Authenticity continues with a willing-ness to differentiate between what is scriptureand what is tradition, what is principle and whatis preference, clar i fying the role of both.However, authenticity also means that we refuseto conform to any cultural thought that is wrongand that we confront “unbiblical thinking” inevery generation with the Word of God.

Romans 12:1-2 offers some remarkable in-sight: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by themercies of God, that you pre-sent your bodies a living sac-rif ice, holy, acceptable toGod, which is your reason-able service. And do not beconformed to this world, butbe transformed by the renew-ing of your mind, that youmay prove what is that goodand acceptable and perfectwill of God.” We can only re-place bad thinking with bibli-cal thinking by the faithfulapplication of the Word ofGod. The Holy Spirit can en-lighten the mind with biblicaltruth and change any way ofthinking that does not alignitself with God’s point ofview. The Holy Spirit canalso discern between resis-tance to generational think-ing and acting and rebellionto biblically-ordained author-ity. If real rebellion is present,then repentance and the re-linquishment of self to Godin holy surrender is the only cure for the rebelwithin. We must have both—the radical changeof heart and the renewing of the mind—if we areto effectively deal with the problem of authorityin this generation and in the ones to come.

Authenticity

begins with

honesty. We

must be honest

with who we

are, honest

about our

biases and

prejudices, and

honest in our

interpretation

and application

of scripture.

True revivals are born from above, sham revivalsfrom below.True revivals proclaim the whole gospel. Sham

revivals skip the terrors of the law, the doom of thedamned, the depravity of the soul, assurance of conver-sion, and the claims of heart holiness, substitutinginstead a sickly sentimentalism.

True revivals proclaim the truth fearlessly, no matterwhom it hits. Sham revivals, for fear of the conse-quences or of the opposition of church leaders, eithertouch very lightly or else leave entirely alone neededtruths that might offend someone.

True revivals not only command men and women torepent but also make them aware of the specific sins ofwhich they need to repent. Sham revivals are silent on thesubject of repentance for fear of hurting peoples’ feelings.

True revivals urge men and women not to rest untilthey know they are converted. Sham revivals take it forgranted that they are saved because they weep or comeforward to the altar for prayers.

True revivals are deeply concerned that the conver-sions that seekers profess are real. Sham revivals arecontent to merely count the so-called converts.

True revivals change the nature of fallen humanbeings and not only get their converts into the churchbut register them in the Book of Life. Sham revivals donot change the heart at all.

True revivals bring the sanctifying baptism of theHoly Spirit to the hearts of believers, as well as theassurance of pardon to believers. Sham revivals are asafraid of sanctification as the devil is said to be afraidof holy water.

True revivals are awake to the fact of formality andworldliness among professors of religion and seek theconversion of sinners who are in the church as earnest-

ly as they seek the conversion of sinners who are outsideit. Sham revivals shut their eyes to the fact of professingChristians who are really unconverted in heart and takefor granted that all who belong to the Church are saved.

True revivals always bear some permanent fruit.Sham revivals leave a church and community in a worsespiritual condition than they were before.

True revivals are a dread to the persistently wicked,but they are a joy to the children of God. Sham revivalsare insipid to the wicked, sickening to the saints, dis-gusting to God, and delightful to no one but the devil.

True revivals are like refreshing showers to the thirstyearth. Sham revivals are like blasts from the desertswhich blight and destroy.

May true revivals abound!

—————————

Wise are they who heed the truth found in the fol-lowing extract from an old revival tract:

“Let us seek a revival in our own hearts first. It isonly hypocrisy to talk about the low state of religionamong our neighbors unless we begin at home. Butwhen we have humbled ourselves before God andbesought Him to revive His work within us, we maythen look out upon the Church and the world aroundus and plead for them. Pray for your ministers, prayfor your fellow Christians, pray for the world, which isperishing in its sins. ‘O Lord, revive Thy work in themidst of the years; in the midst of the years makeknown; in wrath remember mercy.’”

Martin Wells Knapp (1853–1901) was an Methodist pastor, revival-ist, author and leader of the early holiness movement He is remem-bered as the founder of God’s Revivalist and God’s Bible School. Thisselection, edited and updated, is from his Revivalist Kindlings.

In this space we use writers both past and present to discuss various aspects of Christian holiness.

TRUE AND SHAM REVIVALS

by the Rev. Martin Wells Knapp, founder of God’s Bible School

GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

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©2012 iStockphoto

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We Christians live in two worlds. The visible worldincludes everything we experience with our five senses,but the invisible world is composed of God and every-thing spiritual. As we live in our visible world, we must

work for our existence and be good stewards of all that we have.This stewardship includes the care of money. Money is basicallya power that can be used to buy a home, car, and other necessi-ties. Money can be donated to charity, spent foolishly, or stolen.

Criminals do not exempt the Christian from their illegal activ-ities, and so the Church and Christians are often targets of fraudsand scams. A survey reports that 15,000 investors nationwidewere fleeced out of $450 million to pseudo-Christian organiza-tions from 1984 through 1989. A 2001 report declares that pseu-do-religious organizations lured investors out of about $1.8 bil-lion (US) over a three-year period, and that swindlers havebecome more widespread and highly developed.

So there is certainly need within the Christian community fordiscipleship training and preaching in the areas presented here.

Many unsuspecting Christians are financially victimizedand left in economic ruin by those who profess to be

their protectors. Some examples of fraudulent ac-tivity include: 13,000 Christians swindled by theBaptist Foundation of Arizona; Over 150,000PTL victims received $6.54 each as compensa-tion for their lost $1,000 in the Jimmy Bakkerscam; Greater Ministries of Tampa, Florida,swindled thousands of Christians out of ap-proximately $100 million dollars.

Our response needs to be biblical innature, and so the Christian should guardhimself by adopting a “sober” and “vigilant”attitude toward his surroundings (I Peter

5:8). It is proper to establish the credi-bility of those who declare that theycan make you a fast dollar. But keepin mind that when the money istransferred into their hands, it isprobably too late.

What are some of the evidencesthat a certain person or organizationis possibly fraudulent?

First, their claims for your fi-nancial success are much higherthan the average bank interest orWall Street stock. Some years

ago a friend encouraged meto “invest” in Greater Min-istries which had beenheadquartered in Tampa,Florida. My friend claimedthat Greater Ministries dou-bled his money every 18months. A guarded (p13)�by Sid Stewart

©2012 iStockphoto

10GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

DEATHS

Virginia B. “Ginnie” (Campbell)Christman, 80, of Amberley Village,Ohio, died April 15, 2012, after a coura-geous battle with cancer. She was a 1951high school graduate of God’s BibleSchool. She is survived by her beloved

husband of 60 years, Charles C. Christman; her chil-dren, Charles W. Christman and Chrystal Christman-Hennel; two grandchildren; and other relatives.Funeral services were held in Loveland, Ohio, with theRev. Jack Bimber, her pastor, and others, officiating,with burial at Rest Haven Memorial Park.

Robert (Bob) E. Dittman Jr., 75, of Florence,South Carolina, died August, 2011. He graduated in1956 from the GBS high school and was married to

Wanda McIntosh, a 1954 GBS graduate. He leaves hiswife of 55 years, three children, six grandchildren, and

four great-grandchildren. Bob was a sales-man all his adult life and retired fromChurch Furniture and Suppliers, Inc. Histicket for his final flight was received April27, 1952, when he was saved. In heavenhe awaits friends and family to join him.

The Rev. Dennis R. Payne, 54, Clarksburg, WestVirginia, died unexpectedly January 19, 2012.

Following high school, he attended God’sBible School and College from1982–1986, graduating in 1986 with aBachelor of Theology degree. In the sameyear he was married to Monica, who sur-vives. While he was at GBS, he served at

one of the school’s inner-city mission chapels. He laterserved pastorates in Hamlin, Bluefield, Charleston, andBoone County, West Virginia.

Dennis, his wife, and family came to the Fairmont,West Virginia Church in 1993, where they have been a

On these pages, we feature items about GBS alumni, significantevents scheduled throughout the “Revivalist family,” and brief newsnotes from across the holiness movement.

SWSE SPRING TOUR

Beginning Friday, March 30,this year’s Symphonic Wind andString Ensemble Tour covered over1400 miles, ending April 4. Thisbrought positive response to thegroup’s instrumental and vocal ren-ditions of gospel music in Mercer,Lebanon, New Columbia,Beavertown (where the SWSE par-ticipated in the first full service in

the beautiful new sanctu-ary), and Chambersburg,Pennsylvania; as well as inCumberland, Maryland; andZanesville, Ohio.

Designed also for studentrecruitment and fund-raising,

the tour presentations includ-ed student testimonies and

other opportunities to receive

information about God’s BibleSchool and College. Audiencesseemed gratified by the quality ofthe music, as well as the school’sholiness heritage and its continuingcommitment to it. Personnel includ-ed Rev. Don Davison, tour director;Mr. David Hartkopf, orchestradirector; and Miss Jessica Smith,faculty accompanist.

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ALDERSGATE CHRISTIANACADEMY STUDENTRECEIVES YMCACHARACTER AWARD

On Tuesday evening,April 17, Rachel Klotz, afreshman in GBS’sAldersgate ChristianAcademy, was one of 40area high school studentshonored by the YMCA of GreaterCincinnati in its 15th annualCharacter Awards ceremony heldat the Erich Kunzel Center for Artsand Education. Tracey Johnson, Fox19 Morning News anchor, wasmaster of ceremonies for the eventwhich highlighted the characterachievement and other leadershipqualities of this select group ofCincinnati teenagers.

Among other accolades pub-lished about Rachel in the ceremo-

ny program, it wasnoted that her “drive toexcel has not goneunnoticed. Each of thelast six years her teach-ers have nominatedRachel for the Who’sWho of America andYouth Leadership.”

Rachel’s parents areMr. and Mrs. Steve and

Mary (Hamlin) Klotz. Steve is a sci-ence teacher and assistant principalof Aldersgate Christian Academy.

FALL ADEP SCHEDULE RELEASED

GBS’s Aldersgate DistanceEducation Program announces thatfor Fall 2012, the following courseswill be offered as blended classes(each with single 2-3 day block ses-sion on the GBS campus):Introduction to Homiletics (M.

Moser); Marriage and FamilyCounseling (S. Andry); Religions ofAmerica (M. Bird); Open AirOutreach Ministry (E. Briscoe);Cultural Diversity (S. Gibson);Teaching Language Arts (K. Bird);and Personal Discipleship andFormation taught by MattFriedeman, professor at WesleyBiblical Seminary, and offered as adual credit class (students will getboth college and graduate levelcredit). For more information aboutthese classes or the many other fullyonline courses offered, go towww.gbs.edu/adep or write Dr.Mark Bird, ADEP Director, atmbird@gbs.edu.

GBS SPONSORS PURE WATERSUPPLY SYSTEM IN HAITI

In cooperation with HolinessPilgrim Mission, GBS students, faculty,

true blessing. His funeral services were conducted inClarksburg, with Pastor Terry Zimmerman, officiating.

NOTICES

The History of the Bible Holiness Church, a beau-tifully illustrated, 320-page book written by CeceliaLuelf Douglas and Ruth Smith Taylor (former librarian

and faculty member at GBS),gives a vivid picture of the devel-opment of the denomination for-merly known as The Fire-Baptized Holiness Church. “Themain object of this book is to re-member from whence we cameand to glorify God for includingus in His plan of spreading scrip-tural Holiness,” write the authors.It may be ordered from Mr. Les

Goins, 1495 30th Rd., Thayer, Kansas 66776. The costis $25.00 plus $5.00 shipping and handling.

Two new books of visualized children’s storiesby Elizabeth (Smith) Hamilton (GBS ’93 BA) arenow available, as follows: (1) R.G. Flexon, the former

Pilgrim Holiness GeneralSuperintendent. Illustrations are byJudy (Anderson) Simmons, also aGBS alumna. Cost: $18.00; (2)Elliot Hodge, the Fire-Baptized(now Bible Holiness) one-armedpreacher. Illustrations are byRussell Richardson. Cost: $16.00.Both books together may beordered for $30.00.

These are full-color books withsix chapters and are ideal forSunday schools, kids clubs, or fami-ly devotions. To order, send acheck to Elizabeth Hamilton, 900E. Birch St., Independence, Kansas67301, or contact her athamilton_todd@juno.com.

MAY 9-13, 2012

Dr. Michael Avery, presidentRev. John Manley, campus pastor

GUEST SPEAKERSRev. Randy Brown, Wed, Thurs evenings

Rev. Blake Jones, Thurs, Fri, Sun mornings

Rev. John Manley, Sunday eveningRev. Larry Smith, Sunday communion

Rev. Darrell Lee Stetler, Saturday eveningMrs. Elizabeth Stetler, Friday break-out

Dr. Bill Ury, Friday evening

FIRST SERVICEWednesday, 7 pm

PRAYER SERVICESThursday – Friday, 7:30 am

BREAK-OUT SESSIONSThursday – Friday, 9 am

MORNING WORSHIPThursday – Friday, Sunday, 10:30 am

EVENING SERVICESWed – Sat, 7 pm; Sunday, 6 pm

GBS COMMENCEMENTSaturday, 10 am

COMMUNION SERVICESunday, 9 am

STUDENT MINISTRIES SERVICESunday, 2:30 pm

and staff have sponsored installation of a new watersystem in Desdunes, Haiti, a village where the needfor a safe water supply was acute. As HPM director,Dr. Steve Gibson, explains, “The water in Haiti isunsafe, even from the wells or from public watersystems. Rivers are dumping places and are full oftrash beyond description.”

Responding to appeals to help relieve sodesperate a situation, the GBS campus familyraised approximately $1000 to install the new

system, which can purify up to 10,000 gallonsof water per day. Holiness Pilgrim Mission has acongregation of several hundred people inDesdunes plus a large school. Though “the vil-lage people live in poverty, many in houses of

mud,” as Dr. Gibson explains, the local congre-gation provided “a concrete tank that holds5,000 gallons of water.”

BRIEFLY NOTED: On March 2nd, Dr. MarkBird of GBS’s Ministerial Education facultypresented a paper entitled “The Minimum thatOne Must Believe to Be Saved” at the Wes-leyan Theological Society, Nashville, Ten-nessee. The paper dealt with the inclusivism /exclusivism debate and made a distinction be-tween truths that must be affirmed and truthsthat must not be denied. His paper can be ac-cessed at www.WesleyanTheology.com.

MAY 2012

13

�(p9) attitude helped me avoid this fraud. Within abouttwo years the entire operation collapsed, and many of theirleaders are serving long prison sentences.

Second, fraudulent finan cial schemes often includeclaims of secrecy for their operation. Often groups that willscam you declare that they have secret gold or diamondmines in some faraway places like Africa which are totallyinaccessible to the average person. Think about it. If youwere making millions on a secret gold mine, would you tellanyone else? Credible companies have true products to sellin order to create profit margins. You can visit their storesand see how they make money for their investors.

Third, pseudo-Christian groups intent on fraud oftenmix religious talk with their “investment” presentations.You will hear statements like “God is in this,” or “Godknows you deserve this.” Bible promises might even beused to give evidence of God’s blessing in their dishonestventure. True investment professionals avoid using reli-gion as leverage. However, the fraudsters will take advan-tage of your religious sensitivity to gain access into youremotions. Scripture, however, knows no promises of greatfinancial blessings, but rather tells us that the way is nar-row (or a way of affliction).

Another characteristic of fraudulent activity is theusual demand for untraceable cash payments rather thantraceable checks. Scammers want to eliminate a papertrail which will authenticate their criminal activity in acourt of law.

So what do we do to guard ourselves from rip-offs?First, do adequate homework. Check out the history

of the questionable organization. Find out its foundingdate, historic rate of return, product line, and reviews ininvestment magazines. If the organization is multi-levelmarketing, be careful as well. Multi-level marketingschemes may put a strain on families, friendships, andeven entire churches since the MLM members only targetrelatives and friends in order to generate an income. “Thereal money in a pyramid scheme comes from member-ship fees.”

Also check out state and federal Security andExchange Commission registrations. All credible invest-ment advisors and companies must register with the SEC.Next, avoid making your financial decision alone.Committees, boards, registered advisors, and spousesneed to act in concert when it comes to these issues.Finally, avoid the spirit of the Prosperity Gospel. Solidwork ethics are in order, and common sense tells us thatit is not God’s will for everyone to be wealthy.

Sid Stewart is a minister from Trinity, North Carolina, and is currentlycompleting a doctorate in pastoral theology from Bob JonesUniversity. The information for this article was taken from his researchfor his dissertation.

NEWS FROM THE HILLTOP continued FLEECING GOD’S FLOCK continued

Dear Valorie,Previously, I gave four guides for

knowing when one can legitimatelyclaim a Scriptural promise: (1) Towhom was the promise given? (2)Has it been fulfilled? (3) Is it condi-tional or unconditional, and (4) Is itto national Israel or spiritual Israel?Let me add two more.

1. Distinguish the Spirit’simpressions from Scripture’spromises. Occasionally I haveheard people testify, “While readingmy Bible, God gave me a promisethat He would do what I was askingHim.” In many cases, the verse God“gave” them has nothing to do withthe issue they were praying aboutand wasn’t given to spiritual Israel orto all believers generally. Such situa-tions are what I’m referring to as“the Spirit’s impressions.” I find noexamples of this in Scripture.Nonetheless, there is widespreadtestimony to the Holy Spirit usingScripture to impress upon the heartsof His children personal assuranceconcerning His will. I conclude thenthat this is something God does.

However, we should qualify aclaim that God gave us a promise[from a non-promise text] with astatement like, “To the best of myability to discern God’s voice, etc.”Deut. 18:20-22 indicates that false-

ly claiming to speak for God dis-qualifies a person from the respectof God’s people and, under theMosaic Covenant, deserved death.Claiming that God has spoken isserious! We should be careful toqualify our claims so that if we arewrong, it’s clear the fault is oursand not God’s.

In addition, we must keepclearly in mind the differencebetween God using the language ofScripture and God using the mean-ing of Scripture. While God maychoose to use the language ofScripture in our lives apart from itscontextual meaning, that does notdetermine or change the contextu-al meaning. Scripture’s meaningnever changes. The normal patternwe see in Scripture is the HolySpirit applying the contextualmeaning of Scripture to believers’lives to make us like Jesus (Eph.5:26-27). We should expect this tobe the normal pattern of Godworking in our lives as well.

2. Distinguish descriptive textsfrom promises. A “descriptive text”is a passage of Scripture thatdescribes what God has done in thepast. What God has done in thepast He may do again. However,this is no promise that He will againact in that way. Further, a non-

promise passage is not changed intoa promise passage because Goduses its language to assure ourhearts of something. My observationis that God rarely does the samething twice. There was only oneburning bush, one Red Sea crossing,one altar consumed by fire fromHeaven, one Pentecost whentongues of fire came on disciples’heads, and so on.

When claiming a promise givenin or through Scripture, keep inmind that knowing the “what” ofGod’s will is not the same as know-ing the “how” or the “when.” Forexample, Jesus promised that Hewould never leave us or forsake us.That’s the “when” (never) and the“what” (leave or forsake) of Hispromise. Precisely how we willexperience or sense His presenceHe did not tell us.

Regarding Phil. 4:19, “My Godshall supply all your need,” Paul’sconfidence is rooted in Jesus’promise that our Father knows ourneeds and will supply the needs(food and clothing) of those whoseek first His kingdom—as thePhilippians had been doing (Matt.6:24-33). In other words, thispromise is conditional, not uncon-ditional. The Philippians had givenevidence of their seeking firstGod’s kingdom; therefore, Paulcould assure them that God wouldsupply their need.

Remember that promises arenot a means of strong-arming Godinto doing what He would be reti-cent to do otherwise. Promises areGod’s signal that He wants to dosomething. Our asking for God tokeep His word is an act of trust inHis faithfulness. In fact, our askingmay be the trigger God is waitingfor to spring into action (Jam. 4:2).

Blessings,Philip

Dr. A. Philip Brown II is a member of thefaculty in the Division of MinisterialEducation at God’s Bible School and College.

GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

14

WHICH PROMISES CAN WE CLAIM? Part II

Is it all right for Christians to claim promises that aren’t specifically writ-ten to them? How do we know which promises we can claim? —Valorie

MAY 2012

15

COPTIC POPE DIES AT AGE 88

Pope Shenouda III, Coptic Or-thodox leader and patriarch inEgypt, died March 17 at the age of88. Highly influential and popularamong Christians, Shenouda wasregarded as a “charismatic re-former and an advocate of Christ-ian rights in a predominantly Mus-lim country,” according to CornelisHulsman, writing in ChristianityToday. Previously he had served aseditor of a Sunday school periodi-cal, becoming the leader of theCoptic church in Egypt in 1972.

ARCHBISHOP WILLIAMSRESIGNS

Rowen Williams has announcedhis resignation as Archbishop ofCanterbury, spiritual head of theChurch of England and of the world-wide Anglican Communion, whichis regarded as the third largest Chris-tian grouping in the world.

Williams’ tenure as archbishophas been marked by jolting contro-versy within Anglican circles as wellas in the public forum. Conserva-tives in the Anglican Communion,especially church leaders in Africa,have been highly critical of his fail-ure to bring stronger disciplinarymeasures against the liberal Episco-pal Church in the United Statesand the Anglican Church ofCanada for their leniency towardhomosexual conduct. Liberals, onthe other hand, have shown disap-pointment that the Archbishop has

publicly maintained the church’sofficial stand against such conduct.Within the Church of Englandthere has been a bitter struggleover the ordination of women asbishops, a measure which now isexpected to be finally approved.The Archbishop of York, Dr. JohnSentamu, is looked upon as a likelysuccessor to Williams.

STRUGGLE FOR SAME-SEXMARRIAGE CONTINUES

John Flynn in Zenit, an onlinenews service reflecting “The WorldSeen from Rome” details strugglesin various countries over the issueof homosexual marriage:

(1) Great Britain. The Conserva-tive government has announcedthat it will introduce gay marriagebut details are uncertain.

(2) Denmark. A bill has beenintroduced into Parliament to le-galize same-sex marriage andwould enable such unions to takeplace in the state EvangelicalLutheran Church.

(3) France. The European Courtof Human Rights has ruled that thedenial of same-sex marriage is not“a breach of anti-discriminationlaws.” A lesbian French couple hadcomplained that “they would notbe allowed to adopt a child.”

(4) United States. Here “battlescontinue at the state level. In Feb-ruary, Washington’s state governor,Christine Gregoire, signed a billmaking it the seventh state to legal-ize same-sex marriage.”

It’s a phrase we hear all toooften in the Bible college class-room: “I grew up knowing a lotabout God, but never really know-ing God.”

ELIAS ABRAHAM lived a “fairlyordinary life” raised in a Christianhome. He knew right from wrong,but selfishly chose his own way. Itwasn’t until his senior year in highschool that he devoted his life toGod under the mentorship of aninfluential teacher—an ingredientthat would later prove instrumental.

At this new juncture, everyindication pointed him towardsGod’s Bible School and College forthe following year. God opened thedoor for him to attend, where he isnow earning his BA in SecondaryEnglish Education. His aspirationsto teach reflect his own journey,and a keen awareness that Christianeducators have the invaluableopportunity to shape students spiri-tually, as well as academically.

In his classes, Elias is learning howto be more “God-focused” by view-ing his actions as they relate to theworld around him….a commendabletrait for a future teacher!

Seventy-five percent of our students receivesome form of financial aid which enablesthem to attend GBSC. If you would like tosupport Elias or a student like him, you maysend a gift to:

Student FundGod’s Bible School and College1810 Young StreetCincinnati, OH 45202

or give online anytime at www.gbsgift.com

FOR THOSE WHO FOLLOW JESUSby Thomas a Kempis

He who follows me, says Christ our Savior, shall not walk in darkness butshall have the light of life. By these words we are admonished and warned

that we must follow His teachings, as well as His manner of living, if we are tobe illumined and delivered from all blindness of heart. Let all the focus of ourheart, therefore, be to have our meditation wholly fixed on the life and theholy teachings of Jesus Christ. For His teachings are of more virtue and spiritu-al strength than are the teachings of all the angels and saints.

And he that through grace would have the inner eye of his soul opened intothe truth of the gospel of Christ should find manna, that is to say, spiritual foodfor the soul. But it is often seen that some people who often hear the gospel ofChrist have little sweetness in doing so because they do not have His Spirit. So ifwe are to have true understanding of Christ’s Gospels, we must focus our atten-tion on conforming our lives to His life as nearly as we can.

Of what value is it for a man to think deeply about the lofty mysteries of theTrinity if he lacks meekness and thus displeases the Trinity? Truly, nothing at all.For deep reasoning does not make us holy or right, but rather a good life is whatmakes us beloved by God. I had rather feel sorrow of heart for my sins than onlyto know the definition of sorrow. If you were to know all the Bible by memoryand also the sayings of all the philosophers by heart, what should it profit you ifyou do not have grace and charity? All that is in this world is vanity but to loveGod and only to serve Him. This is the most noble and the most excellent wis-dom that may be in any person—by despising this sinful world in order to drawnearer and nearer every day to the kingdom of heaven.

It is therefore very foolish to work hard for worldly riches, which shortly willperish, or to covet earthly honor or any sinful pleasures or sensual delights if afterthis life we shall be grievously punished for them. How great a vanity it is also todesire a long life but to care little for a good life; to pay attention to present thingsbut not to make preparation for what is to come; to love things that shall short-ly pass away but not to hasten to where there is joy everlasting.

Therefore have this often in your mind: That the eye is not satisfied withthe sight of any bodily thing nor the ear with hearing; and therefore purposeto withdraw the love of your soul from things that are merely visible and turnthat love to things that are invisible. For they who follow merely sensual thingshurt their own conscience and lose the grace of God.

Thomas a Kempis (1380–1471)was a medieval German monk and devotional writer. He is remem-bered primarily for the classical devotional work The Imitation of Christ, which was a favorite of JohnWesley, who republished it for his Methodist societies. This selection, edited and updated in lan-guage, is from Richard Whitford’s 16th-century English translation of this famous work.

16

�

FACING

TEMPTATION

(PAR

T 3)

by Dr. Allan P. Brown, Chair

GBS Division of Ministerial Education

Scriptures: James 1:12-14.

In p

art 2

, we

lear

ned

ther

e ar

e six

ste

ps in

the

tem

ptat

ion

proc

ess.

The

first

thre

e ar

e fo

und

in Ja

mes

1:1

4: “Bu

t each on

e is tempted

whe

nhe

is draw

n aw

ay b

y his ow

n de

sires and

enticed

.” T

he t

empt

atio

npr

oces

s be

gins

with

gai

ning

you

r at

tent

ion,

then

attr

actin

g an

d al

lurin

gyo

u. T

here

is n

o sin

invo

lved

in t

hese

firs

t th

ree

step

s un

less

you

giv

em

enta

l con

sent

to th

e te

mpt

atio

n.N

ow n

otic

e Ja

mes

1:1

5:“T

hen whe

n lust has con

ceived

, it gives

birth to sin; a

nd w

hen sin is accom

plishe

d, it brin

gs fo

rth de

ath.”

Her

ear

e th

e la

st

thre

e st

eps

in

the

tem

ptat

ion

proc

ess:

ac

cept

ance

,ap

petit

e an

d ad

dict

ion,

and

, fin

ally,

the

aw

ard

for

sin.

Let

’s c

onsi

der

each

of t

hem

.

Step Four: ACCEPTANCE.

Whe

n a

pers

on c

hoos

es t

o st

op f

ight

ing

thou

ghts

of e

vil a

nd c

hoos

es to

wel

com

e th

em a

nd to

men

tally

visu

al-

ize

them

with

the

asse

nt o

f his

will

, sin

occ

urs.

In Ja

mes

’ ter

min

olog

y, to

allo

w d

esire

to “

conc

eive

” m

eans

you

inw

ardl

y un

ite y

our w

ill w

ith th

eev

il th

ough

ts,

ther

eby

cons

ciou

sly a

llow

ing

them

to

rem

ain

in y

our

min

d. A

s a

resu

lt, s

in b

ecom

es t

he o

ffspr

ing

of t

he a

ttrac

tion

and

the

allu

rem

ent

whi

ch

you

allo

wed

to

se

duce

yo

ur

will

. H

owev

er,

tobe

com

e aw

are

of e

vil t

houg

hts

and

to fi

ght a

gain

st th

em, r

esist

ing

them

and

reno

unci

ng t

hem

, pr

oves

tha

t no

sin

has

yet

occ

urre

d. T

o cr

y ou

tto

God

and

to te

ll H

im th

at y

ou w

ant n

o pa

rtici

patio

n in

wha

t is

wro

ngbu

t w

ith H

is he

lp y

ou p

urpo

se t

o re

sist

tem

ptat

ion

even

to

phys

ical

deat

h sh

ows

that

you

hav

e no

t yet

sin

ned.

14

Furth

er, w

e ar

e to

“pu

t on

the

Lor

d Je

sus

Chr

ist”

(Rom

ans

13:1

4).

This

mea

ns w

e ar

e to

see

k to

bec

ome

mor

e lik

e Je

sus,

and

to

rece

ive

by f

aith

all

that

He

is fo

r ou

r da

ily li

ving

. As

we

clot

he o

urse

lves

with

Chr

ist,

we

will

disc

over

tha

t H

is rig

hteo

usne

ss,

His

truth

, H

is ho

lines

s,an

d H

is lo

ve b

ecom

e m

ore

and

mor

e ev

iden

t in

our

lives

. W

e al

so a

re to

mak

e no

“pr

ovisi

on fo

r the

fles

h, to

fulfi

ll its

des

ires.

”Fl

esh,

in th

is co

ntex

t, is

the

desir

es o

f the

min

d an

d bo

dy th

at a

re fo

r-bi

dden

by

God

. To

mak

e pr

ovisi

on fo

r th

e fle

sh m

eans

you

kno

win

gly

expo

se y

ours

elf t

o th

ings

that

will

tem

pt y

ou. W

hile

we

will

con

tinue

tofa

ce te

mpt

atio

ns th

at a

ppea

l to

our

flesh

ly d

esire

s (d

esire

s of

our

min

dan

d bo

dy),

we

mus

t no

t kn

owin

gly

expo

se o

urse

lves

to

them

. O

n th

eco

ntra

ry, w

e m

ust m

ake

plan

s to

shi

eld

ours

elve

s an

d pr

otec

t our

selv

esfro

m th

ose

tem

ptat

ions

. Her

e ar

e so

me

sugg

estio

ns:

Locate. L

ocat

e in

you

r lif

e th

e ar

eas

in w

hich

you

are

spi

ritua

lly w

eak

and

mos

t su

scep

tible

to

tem

ptat

ion.

The

n pu

rpos

e w

ith G

od’s

hel

p to

avoi

d an

ythi

ng th

at w

ould

trig

ger

tem

ptat

ion

in th

ose

area

s.

Build.G

od e

xpec

ts y

ou to

bui

ld b

arrie

rs in

you

r life

that

will

pro

tect

you

from

peo

ple

or t

hing

s th

at p

ull y

ou t

owar

d th

e w

orld

. Sta

y aw

ay fr

ompl

aces

that

fost

er te

mpt

atio

n. F

or e

xam

ple,

if y

our

eyes

are

an

aven

ueof

wea

knes

s, d

on’t

go p

ast t

he m

agaz

ine

rack

in th

e st

ore.

Don

’t su

rf th

eW

eb, o

r the

TV,

or a

ny o

ther

med

ia y

ou k

now

will

exp

ose

you

to te

mp-

tatio

n. If

you

can

’t co

ntro

l it,

get r

id o

f it!

Repent.I

f you

yie

ld to

tem

ptat

ion,

thor

ough

ly re

pent

of i

t. An

d re

mem

-be

r, to

repe

nt o

f sin

invo

lves

mor

e th

an c

onfe

ssin

g it

and

aski

ng G

od to

forg

ive

you.

Rep

enta

nce

is a

chan

ge o

f hea

rt an

d m

ind

tow

ard

sin th

atis

dem

onst

rate

d by

a c

hang

e in

you

r at

titud

e an

d yo

ur b

ehav

ior.

True

repe

ntan

ce r

equi

res

that

you

do

wha

teve

r is

nece

ssar

y to

sto

p yi

eldi

ngto

wha

t you

kno

w is

wro

ng (2

Cor

inth

ians

7:9

-11)

.

Com

mit.

Com

mit

to f

ull

obed

ienc

e to

God

and

His

Wor

d. A

naly

ze w

hy y

ou g

ave

into

tem

ptat

ion.

Did

you

over

ride

the

Hol

y Sp

irit’s

che

cks

or p

rom

ptin

gs?

Do

you

need

to a

sk s

omeo

ne’s

forg

iven

ess?

Is th

ere

bitte

rnes

s in

your

life

? Is

ther

e hi

dden

rese

ntm

ent?

Rem

embe

r, w

illfu

ldi

sobe

dien

ce

is

alw

ays

the

prod

uct

of

unbi

blic

alth

ough

ts c

oupl

ed w

ith th

e de

liber

ate

choi

ce o

f our

will

.—

serm

on b

y D

R. A

LLAN

P. B

ROW

N

[In o

ur n

ext m

essa

ge, w

e w

ill c

ontin

ue d

iscus

sing

tact

ics

for

over

com

ing

tem

ptat

ion]

“COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

IN P

REACHIN

G” 

�

23

intervention, sin is in its very nature self-destructive and will end in

death. Sadly, James is not speaking of physical death, for even the m

ostgodly people die physically. Rather, Jam

es is speaking of spiritual deathand separation from

all that is good, forever (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23;

Revelation 20:15).So tem

ptation begins with first catching our attention, progresses to

attracting us and then alluring or enticing us. Sin occurs if our will gives

consent to the temptation. O

nce sin is conceived, steps four through sixw

ill follow unless G

od graciously intervenes. Ultim

ately it climaxes in

eternal separation from G

od. These are the six steps in the negative flowof tem

ptation. During the first three steps, no sin occurs. H

owever, one

should be alert to the danger and destructive power of tem

ptation andim

mediately flee to C

hrist for help as soon as he becomes aw

are of anyattraction to w

hat is displeasing to God.

How

to Successfully Com

bat Temptation

No C

hristian needs to be defeated by temptation. G

od personallyprom

ises that He w

ill protect every Christian from

experiencing a temp-

tation that is too strong for him. In fact, he says to C

hristians, “The temp-

tations in your life are no different from w

hat others experience,”prom

is-ing, that H

e “will not allow

any temptation to be m

ore than you canstand. W

hen you are tempted, he w

ill show you a w

ay out so that youcan endure” (1 C

orinthians 10:13).This is great new

s for a Christian! The Alm

ighty God H

imself has

promised to intervene in our behalf. Further, w

e are told in Scripturethat through C

hrist, we can be m

ore than a conqueror over temptation

(Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:37).

Part of the responsibility for defeating temptation is to learn the bib-

lical tactics for conducting spiritual warfare. G

od has promised to give

us grace, strength, and to protect us from the enem

y; but God also has

instructed us to learn to utilize the spiritual weapons H

e provides us. Letm

e suggest several tactics for successfully combating tem

ptation.

Step One. Put on the Lord Jesus C

hrist and make no provisions to grat-

ify the desires of the flesh outside of the will of G

od (Romans 13:14).

The contextual setting of Romans 13:14 reveals that a C

hristian must

not allow spiritual lethargy to dim

inish his alertness to the dangers of temp-

tation. Spiritual vigilance is an absolute necessity (Romans 13:11). The

Christian m

ust completely rid him

self of all the works of darkness and put

on the armor of light (Rom

ans 13:12). When Paul urges C

hristian, “Let usput on the arm

or of light,” he is saying that the light we receive from

God’s

Word w

ill protect us from the pow

er of temptation just as arm

or protectsa soldier from

the attacks of an enemy. Light functions as arm

or.

Do not be surprised w

hen Satan tries to make you feel guilty for

having evil thoughts in your mind. H

e is their source. He projects evil

thoughts into our minds and then w

hen we becom

e aware of them

,capturing them

and replacing them w

ith biblical and godly thoughts, heaccuses us of being the ow

ner of the thoughts. Then he taunts us with

the charge that our heart is the source of the evil thoughts and there-fore w

e have an evil heart. W

e must rem

ember that Satan is an accuser, a liar, and a deceiver

(Revelation 12:10; John 8:44; Revelation 20:3). Do not allow

him to

project false guilt into your heart and mind. If you are not sure w

hetheror not you responded quickly enough to capture and expel the evilthoughts, flee to the blood of Jesus and ask for forgiveness and a freshcleansing. You m

ust keep your conscience clear (Romans 14:21-22)!

Step Five: APPETITE and ADDICTIO

N. This step begins at the m

oment

that sin is conceived through mental consent to the evil thoughts and con-

cludes when sin becom

es full-grown. Jam

es 1:15 says, “When desire has

conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grow

n, brings forthdeath.” The consent of the w

ill determines w

hether or not sin has occurredw

hen thoughts of evil enter our mind. If w

e consciously choose to welcom

eevil thoughts, w

e have chosen to sin. And, James w

arns, sin does not remain

static; it grows and seeks to becom

e “full-grown,” indicating a fixed habit.

Sin never adds quality to our lives. Although there are mom

entary plea-sures in sinful activities (H

ebrews 11:25), sin alw

ays subtracts from our lives.

And willful sin, unless im

mediately repented of, w

ill enslave. Paul says inRom

ans 6:16, “Do you not know

that when you present yourselves to

someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one w

hom you

obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteous-ness?” W

hen we choose to com

mit w

illful sin, we are alw

ays losers andnever gainers, w

hether it be in this life or in relationship to the eternal. TheBible w

arns us that there is a way w

hich seems right to a person, but if that

way violates G

od’s Word, the end of that w

ay is death (Proverbs 14:12).The m

ethod Satan uses to enslave people physically is first to blindtheir m

inds to the dangers of sin (Ephesians 4:17-18). Then he urgesthem

to sin repeatedly until mental, physical, and em

otional addictionoccurs. W

hen this happens, the sinner will gradually becom

e callousand w

ill eventually, apart from the prevenient grace of G

od stopping hisprogress, give him

self over “to sensuality, for the practice of every kindof im

purity with greediness” (Ephesians 4:19).

Step Six: AWARD

for sin.“Sin, w

hen it is finished (full-grown), gives

birth to death” (James 1:15). A

part from G

od’s gracious and merciful

MAY 2012

19

Each month we publish brief “field reports” from missionariesaround the world. Missionaries are invited to send us theirnewsletters and other information about their activities. GBS grad-uates are especially urged to respond, but we also wish to includeothers who uphold our vision and our commitment.

ARGENTINA. “Cartegena told me by phone a fewdays ago, ‘Pastor, I cannot tell you how much weappreciate your preaching, teaching us the way ofholiness. God has been showing me the importance ofholiness. Our church is so blessed to have heard thismessage.’ He also told me that he now keeps theLord’s Day holy and said, ‘It feels so good to do this.’”—Phillip Dickinson, Newsletter

HONDURAS. “One of the joys I have of overseeingthe medical work that Evangelistic Faith Missions hasin Honduras is combining the use of medicine andministry. Two of the four villages we visited [during2011] did not have an evangelical church for thepeople to attend. The last village we visited wascalled San Francisco, and the people were veryfriendly, open to the gospel, and thankful for themedical help brought to them. God was so very goodto take the efforts of a few medical personnel whodedicated a week of their time to go to Honduras tohelp meet the medical needs of the people. Throughthat effort, the Lord has seen fit to open a newchurch and draw new people to Himself.” —DanielMelton, Missionary Herald

INDIA. “I gladly accepted the invitation of BarnabasMinistries President Rick Hutchison to travel with himto southern India February 7-18. There, whereHinduism remains the dominant religion, I foundmany sincere believers and faithful pastors hungry forpure, biblical, holiness teaching. We held nightly out-door gospel meetings in village after village andpreached to hundreds of people of all ages. They saton mats until late at night, listening intently to the mes-

MISSIONS REPORTS sages and often responding. We were very consciousof the Lord’s presence and anointing.

“One of the highlights of the India trip wasteaching around 200 pastors in two separate confer-ences. I felt so blessed to be with pastors so eager tobe more equipped for the ministry. One pastorshared a moving testimony of persecution he hasfaced. He traveled 1,200 kilometers just to attendone of the conferences!” —Tim Keep, BibleMethodist Missions newsletter

PHILIPPINES. “R.G. Hutchison reports, ‘It was myprivilege to deliver the commencement address thismorning and to witness as six of our students gradu-ated from the Shepherds’ College. We thank God forgiving them the desire and ability to finish! Pleasepray for them as they seek God’s will for the nextsteps in each of their lives.’

“The Hutchison’s also report a new church dedi-cation in the village of Eden as well as a new pio-neering project underway in the densely populatedcity of Baguio.” —Bible Methodist Missions

RUSSIA. “The Motovilov family are working inRussia. They hold Bible classes weekly in their home,[and] afterwards they serve tea and refreshments.They go to Savino to an orphanage. Some of the olderchildren have been moved to a place for people whocan’t take care of themselves. Keep them in yourprayers.” —The Flaming Sword

SOUTH AFRICA. “Glenn and Stephanie Gault(HIM) in Lesotho request prayer for the Chineseradio broadcasts. Pray that God will help them buildrelationships with the people [and also] for the Bibleschool students. They are beginning the final year ofthe course of study.” —Ropeholders

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS. “Mike and DarylHobbs (HIM) praise the Lord for the way He is open-ing the medical field for Daryl in the Turks and CaicosIslands. Daryl is the first Nurse Practitioner ever towork in the islands. Thank the Lord for opening thisdoor!” —Ropeholders

CORRECTION. In this column, March 2012, wereprinted a notice of the death of missionary JohnWeiss resulting from a truck accident in Canada. As weare informed, the work with which he was associatedis a mission of the Evangelical Wesleyan Church ratherthan the organization mentioned in the report. Ourapologies for the error. Rev. Weiss was an elder in theEvangelical Wesleyan Church.

compiled by Rev. Jack Hooker, President,National Alumni Association of GBS

ESTABLISHING CHRISTIANRADIO IN PAPUA NEW GUINEAletter from Joe Emert (BRE ’74)

I trust this finds you well. I’ve justreturned from my tenth trip to PapuaNew Guinea, and it was my pleasureto present a recent copy of God’sRevivalist to some of the staff mem-bers of Wantok Radio Light, our net-work of 16 FM radio stations. Ithought you might enjoy this photo.

I’m shown here makingthe presentation to ThelmaNinjipa, senior announcerfor the network and PastorJoe Piniau, eveningannouncer and host of atwo-hour program called“The Chapel In The Air.”Thelma interned at ourGeorgia radio stations, andPastor Joe is affiliated withthe PNG Bible Church,one of the partners whoestablished the radio min-istry nearly 12 years ago.(Mike Avery and Dick Mileswere part of a preachingteam that preached tothousands at their annualcamp meeting several yearsago in the Highlands.)

Pastor Joe receives, onaverage, over 17,000 textmessages each month fromlisteners seeking prayer,advice, or making song

requests! He expressed real appre-ciation for this copy of God’sRevivalist, and I feel certain its richcontent will make its way throughthe radio and into the hearts of thepeople of Papua New Guinea.

My love affair with Papua NewGuinea began in the early ’70’s onthe campus of God’s Bible School.President Deets asked me to be partof a student “welcome committee,”standing at the top of the famous“ramp,” when the first two youngmen from Papua New Guinea weredelivered to campus fresh from theHighlands. I understand that theywere, in fact, the very first two PapuaNew Guineans to study abroad fol-lowing the nation’s independence.When Pilipo Miriye and PeterMaginde stepped out of that car, adecades-long relationship was born.We were very close friends through-out our college days. Today, Piliposerves as International Director ofMissions for the 600 churches of thePNG Bible Church. Peter, long desir-ing to serve God in government even

as a student at GBS, [was until recent-ly] the ambassador from Papua NewGuinea to the EU, Brussels, Belgium.

Today, Wantok Radio Light is agrowing radio network in this islandnation of nearly seven million peo-ple. An additional 40 to 50 FMradio stations are planned aroundthe country, thanks to a generousgrant of nearly two million dollars!Twenty FM transmitters have beenordered, and there is a strong desirein the nation to hear the Word ofGod daily. To God be the glory!

Thank you for the exceptionaljob you and your team do, present-ing to us God’s Revivalist. It isgraphically attractive, content-rich, apowerful PR tool for God’s BibleSchool and College, and is deliveredon time! I must admit that I alwaysturn immediately to the campus,staff, and alumni news! Should youdesire, I’ll be happy to fill in anydetails about this exciting work ofGod in Papua New Guinea!

Sincerely in Christ,Joe Emert

20GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

Alumnus Joe Emert presents a recent copy of God’s Revivalist to Thelma Ninjipa and Pastor Joe Piniau.

MAY 2012

21

ALUMNI ATTEND MARRIAGEMATTERS RETREAT

President Michael Avery wasthe featured speaker at theMarriage Matters Retreat, February22-23, at the Carlisle Inn, WalnutCreek, Ohio. More than fifty cou-ples attended the event, which isheld each year in the heart of thelargest Amish community in theworld. Marriage Matters, whichheld its first retreat in 2000 andreceived non-profit corporation sta-tus in 2006, offers opportunties forChristians to renew and enrichtheir marriages in a warm atmos-phere of fellowship, affirmation,and enjoyment. Present is a min-istry team as well as outside guests,who serve as speakers.

Many GBS alumni look forwardto this marriage getaway as a time ofpeaceful spiritual focus. TheMarriage Matters Ministry, Inc. boardincludes six alumni, including chair-man, Daryl Muir (’86, BRE). Therewere a total of twenty-two GBSalumni at the 2012 retreat. For fur-ther information on future retreats,call Daryl at 330-506-4227 or con-tact him by email atdmmuir84@earthlink.net.

JEFF CASE (BA MUSIC ’90)RELEASES NEW CD PROJECT

This is My Story (Hymns Not asUsual), a CD project by Jeff Case,has just been released. It was

inspired by his brother John (BAMusic ’90), who passed away inOctober 2007. Less than a weekbefore his passing, John was lying ina hospital bed when the doctorinformed him he had lymphoma.Afterward he noticed that “BlessedAssurance” was playing in the back-ground. He called his family, toldthem the news from the doctor, butthen said that through the hymn,God had told him everything wasgoing to be all right. Jeff adds, “Thisproject is an attempt to preserve thewonderful message of yesterday’shymns with today’s music in thehopes of passing these hymns alongto the next generation.”

CD’s can be ordered by contact-ing Jeff at 4391 Knowles Rd., NorthAdams, MI 49262, or by emailinghim at jandlcase@hotmail.com.The price is $12 plus $3 shipping.CD’s are also available at variouson-line stores includingamazon.com, cdbaby.com,itunes.com, and other locations.

a message from class president

Marlon King

ATTN: High School Class of ’82

College Class of ’87

As incredible as it seems, this year marks the 30th and 25th

anniversaries of the graduations of our respective classes! As I was

privileged to have been president of both classes, and as several of

my fellow alumni are also members of both classes, it is my hope that

we can hold a combined reunion on Saturday, October 13, at 2:00

p.m. following the homecoming picnic on the campus of our alma

mater. The High School Class of ’82 (the largest graduating class in

the history of the high school) has consistently held reunions every five

years, and the College Class of ’87 will be one of the classes officially

honored by the Alumni Association during this year’s homecoming cel-

ebrations. If you were a member of either class, I would like to hear

your thoughts on a combined reunion. I also need your contact infor-

mation (address, telephone, email) and information for reaching those

classmates you may know who do not receive God’s Revivalist.

Please call or email Kevin Moser at the Revivalist Press (513-763-

6521, kmoser@gbs.edu) and he will forward the information to me. I

look forward to seeing you soon and catching up on bygone days!

Twenty-two GBS alumni attend the 2012 Marriage Matters Retreat

GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

22

EDITORIAL continued

�(p2) that begin Article VI can hardly be disputed,though often they are ignored. Remember that thechurch is the home of all Christ’s faithful ones, wherewe live out our lives in union with Him and with oneanother, continuing “steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrineand fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and inprayers” (Acts 2:42).

This is a spiritual and heavenly organism, to besure; but it is also a physical and earthly one. WhileJesus was here among us, He gathered around HimselfHis “little flock” as the nucleus of its fellowship; estab-lished the principles of its worship, ministry, and struc-ture; and commissioned His apostles to act in Hisname as its first pastors and superintendents. After Hehad ascended to His Father, they went everywhere,impassioned to “make disciples of the nations” and tobring those disciples into the community of the churchwhere they submitted themselves to its guidance, dis-cipline, and instruction.

This was all by divine authority, of course, delegatedby Christ to His apostles and by them “to faithful menwho will be able to teach others also” (II Tim. 2:2). Aswe know, leadership is vastly important, and so Peterand Paul made certain that devout, wise, and coura-geous leaders were in place in those infant congrega-tions that they established.

Details may be elusive, but in general the NewTestament pattern is apparent. As historian Dr. EarlCairns informs us, there were two categories of leadersin the early church. First were “charismatic officials,”which he identifies as “apostles, prophets, evangelists,pastors, and/or teachers”—all believers gifted by theSpirit to proclaim the gospel and guard its truth.

Second were “administrative officials”—elders orpresbyters and deacons—whose “task was to carry outthe governmental functions within a given church. Theapostles laid down their qualifications and put them inoffice after their selection by the congregation.”Qualifications for an elder are given in I Timothy 3:1-7and in Titus 1:5-9 and for a deacon in Acts 6:3 and ITimothy 3:8-13. The elders were called to rule in thecongregation and from their ranks came its pastors,while deacons were to assist the elders in “the dispens-ing of charity.”

Submission to church authority was expected ofevery Christian, and by the Saviour’s own command,any believer who stubbornly and persistently “refused tohear the church” in the exercise of its disciplinary pow-ers was to be considered “like a heathen and a tax col-lector” (Matthew 18:17)—that is, he was no longer amember of the Christian fellowship. “Obey them thathave the rule over you, and submit yourselves,” com-mands the book of Hebrews, “for they watch for your

souls, as they that must give account, that they may do itwith joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable foryou” (Hebrews 13:17).

II. FAILURE ACKNOWLEDGED: Authority Disregarded

Church authority—its extent and exercise—hasoften become an issue of flaming controversy. On onehand, it often has been tragically, even barbarously,misused. Recall the horrors of Medieval Catholicismwith its arrogant claims to both the bodies and souls ofmen. For those who resisted, there was the rack, thenoose, and the flame. Nothing better illustrates LordActon’s words: “Power corrupts; absolute power cor-rupts absolutely.”

In the 16th-century Reformation, this arbitrary forcewas challenged and overthrown. Protestants reassertedthe universal priesthood of all believers, though theirleaders were careful to explain the biblical guidelines forproper authority. Some of their descendants, however,established spiritual despotisms of their own, while inreaction, others declared their independence from anydominion except their own. So the children of theReformation became known for their constant squab-bles and their proliferating sects, each claiming its ownecclesiastical turf.

We in the CHM have had our share of “continueddivisions among us, often over matters unconnectedwith allegiance to Scriptural truth,” as Article VI remindsus. Sixty years ago our persistent protests against en-croaching worldliness and increasing autocracy wereregistered in faithfulness to our understanding of thegospel. As such, they were legitimate and history hasvalidated them. Our “mother churches” have drifted sofar that we can hardly recognize them as the spiritualcradles of our youth.

But it is also true that once we had thrown off theold loyalties, we found it difficult to establish new ones.This is made worse by the long-established “radical indi-vidualism” of American culture, as well as by the post-modern distrust of institutions either secular or religious.Perhaps these have all contributed to “the spirit of auton-omy and even anarchy” that is deplored in Article VI.

“Our spiritual philosophy has become warped,” de-clared A.W. Tozer of American evangelicalism; “oursense of belonging has gone from us; we recognize noauthority, obey no rules, take no vows, are almost alto-gether undisciplined and feel no sense of loyalty.” Hewas not speaking specifically to the CHM, of course; butstill his indictment provides a solemn warning for us all.

III. CORRECTION OFFERED: Authority Reaffirmed

“Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and beclothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud and

giveth grace to the humble” (I Pet. 5:5). Here is the mutualsubmission that we owe to one another in the Church.But this is not all that is required. “Obey them that havethe rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watchfor your souls….” (Hebrews 13:17). Here is the personalsubmission that we owe to the Church’s leaders.

To explain and affirm that authority we now sum-marize these principles foundational to it:

• Delegation. To the Church which He has establishedour Lord has delegated His own authority, which is ex-ercised by duly-appointed officials who act in Hisname and on His behalf.

• Qualification. In Scripture He has established thequalifications for these officials—godliness, sobriety,earnestness, diligence, family discipline, and spotlessreputation. Acting reverently in His presence and rely-ing upon His guidance, the congregation selects itsleaders from those who thus are clearly qualified.

• Limitation. These officials are to exercise their au-thority in a spirit of fidelity, love, and humility, alwayslimited to the proper sphere of spiritual concern thatthe church has committed to them.

• Service. Church officials are to serve God and Hispeople humbly, faithfully and lovingly, “taking the over-sight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not forfilthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lordsover God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock”(I Pet. 5:2-3).

• Obedience. By divine command we are to submitto the spiritual authority which these leaders exercise inGod’s name, offering them our affirmation, ourprayers, and our support.

• Accountability. We are accountable to these lead-ers. But they also are accountable to us, and theChurch must provide structures to which they give an-swer and by which they may be deposed for just cause.Remember, too, that all us are accountable to God be-fore whom we soon shall stand in judgment.

Granted, “The Call to the CHM” will never appear inChristianity Today or Newsweek. It does appear in God’sRevivalist, however, urging us to “support that authority inthe church” that God Himself has established. “Be assuredof one thing,” John Wesley tells us. “The more conscien-tiously you obey your spiritual guides, the more power-fully God will apply the word which they speak in hisname to your health. The more powerfully will He waterwhat is spoken with the dew of His blessing; and themore proofs will you have, not only what they speak, butthe Spirit of your Father who speaketh in them.”

MAY 2012

23

by Sonja VernonCONSEQUENCES

“And all the people shouted with a great shoutwhen they praised the Lord because the founda-tion of the house of the Lord was laid. Yet many ofthe priests and Levites and heads of fathers’households, the old men who had seen the firsttemple, wept with a loud voice when the founda-tion of this house was laid before their eyes, whilemany shouted aloud for joy, so that the peoplecould not distinguish the sound of the shout of joyfrom the sound of the weeping of the people....”—Ezra 3:11c–13a NASB

It was a day of celebration! Trumpets sounded, cym-bals crashed, and singers sang. The people erupted

in praise for what God had done to re-establish Hishouse. But in the midst of the rejoicing throng werethose who remembered the temple in its former glory,and they wept. They mourned the cost of the disobe-dience that sent their people into captivity andcaused the destruction of their once glorious house ofworship. They grieved so bitterly that their cries couldnot be distinguished from the shouts of gladness. Faraway the noise was heard, a noise of joy mingled withthe sounds of sorrow and regret.

This story from long ago holds a powerful lessonfor us today. God lovingly restores and forgives, but inthis life we may never regain all that was lost becauseof our sin. The temple was rebuilt, but it was not as ithad been in Solomon’s day. The Prodigal Son waswelcomed home, but his inheritance had beensquandered. Redemption is powerful and beautiful,but it may not erase the scars of our disobedience.God help us to realize the seriousness of sin andenable us to run at its slightest approach!

Sonja Vernon is Dean of Women at God’s Bible School and College.

©2012 Jupiter Im

ages